a brief introduction to buddhism

Xinjiang, China’s New Frontier province is the north-eastern extremity of a swathe of Turkic speaking peoples; it’s the northern boundary of Tibetan buddhism and the north-eastern frontier of China. Quite the melting pot.

Venture east and south: westerners are rare, hotpots are tasty and ever-present, and when we passed through, snow caused unseasonal havoc. The perfect opportunity for my first experiences of buddhism, the most peaceful of faiths, in the most peaceful of untouristy surrounds: